Plated Hedgestar
The Plated Hedgestar has evolved its defenses even further, developing a system of layered plates that adorn its backside. While the hatchlings look very much like their ancestors, spines and all, as they mature said keratin spines fuse together into a series of sturdy, interlocking plates. These plates also encompass the top of the head, fusing with it as the topmost pair of simple eyes are reabsorbed into the body upon this species reaching maturity, reducing the count from 8 to 6. Furthermore, the musculature attached to the base of the plates has strengthened, allowing the plates to be able to be articulated up to 20 degrees from their resting state through subtle manipulations of their muscle tissue. This had led to a behavioral change in the species, as when it comes time to defend themselves against predators, they will now curl themselves up into a tight ball and then articulate their plates to create a near gap-less armor defense. This in turn makes it difficult for would-be predators to be able to grab hold of them in an attempt to pry open, or to even crush through the armor.
Due the plentifulness of various flora in its habitats, the likes of leafstars, fringeweed and cryoflora now make up its diet, while their eggs still utilize filter feeding to replenish their yolk supply as they develop. Reproduction can prove a vulnerable time for the various hedgestar species, so plated hedgestar has developed a method to mitigate the danger. The male will flip upside down and both hedgestars will curl into balls, forming an armored mating embrace where their plates hold them together rather than their stumpy anal fingers.
Females can grow to be up to 6 cm in length while males max out at 5 cm in length. They will reach sexual maturity at 8 months old and can live upwards of 5 years given favorable conditions.